Memory Alpha
Memory Alpha
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The '''Battle of Betazed''' was a surprise [[Dominion]] offensive against the [[Federation]] member world of [[Betazed]] during the [[Dominion War]] in [[2374]]. It was an unmitigated disaster for the Federation and its allies, plunging the war into its darkest hour.
 
The '''Battle of Betazed''' was a surprise [[Dominion]] offensive against the [[Federation]] member world of [[Betazed]] during the [[Dominion War]] in [[2374]]. It was an unmitigated disaster for the Federation and its allies, plunging the war into its darkest hour.
   
== The Battle ==
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==The battle==
The [[Jem'Hadar]] had secretly assembled a large invasion force in the [[Kalandra sector]], which [[Starfleet]] had believed was too far from Dominion territory to represent a major threat. At the same time, the [[Tenth Fleet]], which was supposed to protect the planet and its outlying colonies, was caught out of position at the start of the invasion during a [[training exercise]]. The disadvantage was compounded by the relative weakness of Betazed's antiquated and undermanned defenses.
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The Dominion assembled their forces in the [[Kalandra sector]], which [[Starfleet Intelligence]] had believed was too far from their supply lines to present a major threat. The attack caught the [[Tenth Fleet]], assigned to protect Betazed and its outlying colonies, out of position on a training exercise. The Dominion met little resistance from Betazed's own antiquated and undermanned defenses, and was able to conquer the planet in a mere ten hours.
   
 
Beyond the immediate loss of a major Federation member planet, the battle had dire strategic implications for the Federation. With Betazed under its control, the Dominion was now in a position to strike at the heart of Federation territory, including such core worlds as [[Andor]], [[Tellar]], [[Alpha Centauri]], and [[Vulcan (planet)|Vulcan]]. ({{DS9|In the Pale Moonlight}})
Ultimately, the Dominion conquered the planet in only ten hours &ndash; a humiliating defeat for the Federation.
 
   
 
==Aftermath==
On a strategic level, the defeat had even worse implications. With Betazed under its control, the Dominion was positioned within striking distance of the very heart of Federation territory, including such core member worlds as [[Andor]], [[Tellar]], [[Alpha Centauri]] and [[Vulcan (planet)|Vulcan]]. ({{DS9|In the Pale Moonlight}})
 
 
A few weeks later, the Dominion had solidified its hold on the Kalandra Sector and were trying to establish a supply line running through Betazoid space into the [[Argolis Cluster]], which would allow them to launch an attack on [[Vulcan (planet)|Vulcan]]. Starfleet planned to have the [[Seventh Fleet]] intercept them near the [[Tibor Nebula]]. ({{DS9|The Reckoning}})
   
 
Later in 2374, the [[Second Fleet]] launched at least three attacks against the Dominion occupation forces, but were unable to make progress due to the Dominion continually reinforcing and fortifying their positions on the planet. ({{DS9|The Sound of Her Voice}})
== Aftermath ==
 
A few weeks later the Dominion had solidified its hold on the Kalandra Sector. They were trying to establish a supply line running through Betazoid space into the [[Argolis Cluster]], which would allow them to launch an attack on [[Vulcan (planet)|Vulcan]]. Starfleet planned to have the [[Seventh Fleet]] cut them off near the [[Tibor Nebula]]. ({{DS9|The Reckoning}})
 
 
Later that year, the [[Second Fleet]] launched at least three attacks against the Dominion positions on the planet, but the continual Dominion reinforcements and the fortification of the planet stopped them from succeeding. ({{DS9|The Sound of Her Voice}})
 
   
 
{{Dominion War battles}}
 
{{Dominion War battles}}

Revision as of 05:21, 6 September 2014

The Battle of Betazed was a surprise Dominion offensive against the Federation member world of Betazed during the Dominion War in 2374. It was an unmitigated disaster for the Federation and its allies, plunging the war into its darkest hour.

The battle

The Dominion assembled their forces in the Kalandra sector, which Starfleet Intelligence had believed was too far from their supply lines to present a major threat. The attack caught the Tenth Fleet, assigned to protect Betazed and its outlying colonies, out of position on a training exercise. The Dominion met little resistance from Betazed's own antiquated and undermanned defenses, and was able to conquer the planet in a mere ten hours.

Beyond the immediate loss of a major Federation member planet, the battle had dire strategic implications for the Federation. With Betazed under its control, the Dominion was now in a position to strike at the heart of Federation territory, including such core worlds as Andor, Tellar, Alpha Centauri, and Vulcan. (DS9: "In the Pale Moonlight")

Aftermath

A few weeks later, the Dominion had solidified its hold on the Kalandra Sector and were trying to establish a supply line running through Betazoid space into the Argolis Cluster, which would allow them to launch an attack on Vulcan. Starfleet planned to have the Seventh Fleet intercept them near the Tibor Nebula. (DS9: "The Reckoning")

Later in 2374, the Second Fleet launched at least three attacks against the Dominion occupation forces, but were unable to make progress due to the Dominion continually reinforcing and fortifying their positions on the planet. (DS9: "The Sound of Her Voice")

Appendices

Apocrypha

In Tales of the Dominion War, the short story "The Ceremony of Innocence is Drowned" tells of what Lwaxana Troi was doing up to the battle and invasion, including mentioning the unfortunate yet heroic death of Mister Homn.

The story is continued in The Battle of Betazed, a novel that tells of the fight to recapture Betazed from the Dominion in detail. Elias Vaughn, Deep Space 9's new first officer in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine relaunch novels, is instrumental in helping the USS Enterprise-E crew retake the planet.